Single skin wall properties

F37A

Hi 

I'm trying to decide whether to buy one. To my understanding these can be unmortgageable but the one i am looking at i've managed to get a mortgage offer on it. It's weird the lender is willing to lend but has only done desktop survey but told me they would do an indepth survey at my cost. The property sold at a good price previously. How many properties in UK are single skin and just how bad are these for damp / cold. I guess it weakens the EPC as well. Have you lived in one? 

It might be fine i may be worrying to much.

Doozergirl

There's a difference between a single skin wall and a solid brick wall with no cavity.

A solid brick wall is two bricks deep, it just has no cavity; you'll see what looks like half bricks in the bond, but they are full bricks turned.    A single skin wall is one brick thick and it's really quite rare as it's a v old way of building and a lot of them aren't standing anymore!  The most common place to find them are on single storey outriggers to Victorian terraces - where you often find kitchens and bathrooms.   

Are you totally sure it's single skin?   I lived in a 16th century house that had elements of single skin and yes it was cold but it was listed and nearly 20 years ago so insulation was an afterthought.  It's current insulation that affects the EPC rather than the original construction method.  

user1977

If this is about

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6422400/issue-on-survey-for-flat-wall-with-single-skin-construction#latest

it's easier for everyone if you just continue the existing thread.

F37A

Doozergirl said:

There's a difference between a single skin wall and a solid brick wall with no cavity.

A solid brick wall is two bricks deep, it just has no cavity; you'll see what looks like half bricks in the bond, but they are full bricks turned.    A single skin wall is one brick thick and it's really quite rare as it's a v old way of building and a lot of them aren't standing anymore!  The most common place to find them are on single storey outriggers to Victorian terraces - where you often find kitchens and bathrooms.   

Are you totally sure it's single skin?   I lived in a 16th century house that had elements of single skin and yes it was cold but it was listed and nearly 20 years ago so insulation was an afterthought.  It's current insulation that affects the EPC rather than the original construction method.  

thanks - strangely its a 1990s block of flats with top part single skin where the flat is located. It's weird the EPC guy gave it a C but then surveyor wrote its single skin in epc section so i guess it must mean EPC is wrong. Cannot be bothered to find a new property but equally don't want one to go to trouble of not being able to sell in future

stuart45

Doesn't sound right or a 1990's build.

EssexHebridean

I’m not convinced that “can’t be bothered” is a particularly sensible attitude to take into the task of looking for a new home… 

grumbler

Doozergirl said:

There's a difference between a single skin wall and a solid brick wall with no cavity.

A solid brick wall is two bricks deep, it just has no cavity; you'll see what looks like half bricks in the bond, but they are full bricks turned.    A single skin wall is one brick thick and it's really quite rare as it's a v old way of building and a lot of them aren't standing anymore!  The most common place to find them are on single storey outriggers to Victorian terraces - where you often find kitchens and bathrooms.  

I wonder how are some modern houses classed - with a single skin brick wall outside and a timber frame insulated wall inside. Is it 'timber frame' or 'single skin' or something else?

F37A

EssexHebridean said:

I’m not convinced that “can’t be bothered” is a particularly sensible attitude to take into the task of looking for a new home… 

Haha just said how I felt. This property journey has been awful. 

LHW99

We had a 1970's house with a single skin extension made from concrete slabs. It was very cold, and somewhat damp even with a new gas fire

stuart45

grumbler said:

Doozergirl said:

There's a difference between a single skin wall and a solid brick wall with no cavity.

A solid brick wall is two bricks deep, it just has no cavity; you'll see what looks like half bricks in the bond, but they are full bricks turned.    A single skin wall is one brick thick and it's really quite rare as it's a v old way of building and a lot of them aren't standing anymore!  The most common place to find them are on single storey outriggers to Victorian terraces - where you often find kitchens and bathrooms.  

I wonder how are some modern houses classed - with a single skin brick wall outside and a timber frame insulated wall inside. Is it 'timber frame' or 'single skin' or something else?

It's timber framed. A single skin brick wall is around 4 inches thick. Some houses were built single skin up to the late 1800's, but they have mostly been pulled down now. They probably suffered severe damp issues.

EssexHebridean

F37A said:

EssexHebridean said:

I’m not convinced that “can’t be bothered” is a particularly sensible attitude to take into the task of looking for a new home… 

Haha just said how I felt. This property journey has been awful. 

Possibly a sign that you need to wind things back a bit and re-evaluate what you want. From some of your posts it’s coming across a bit as though you’re reaching the “oh anything will do” point - and that can lead to you ending up buying a place that actually, you end up not being happy with. Better to take a little more time, than to “settle” when you’re talking about one of the most expensive purchases of your life!